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Flatpack news :: autumn listings

Once again an event-light summer has been followed by an autumn pileup of gigs and screenings. To help sift through some of this we have compiled one of our occasional Birmingham listings mailouts. As ever we’re not responsible for these – we just thought they looked interesting.

Firstly, some Flatpack notices…

BIRMINGHAM – THE MAGIC CITY Last week we were part of a Birmingham contingent at Liverpool Biennial, launching a section of the City States exhibition. This is on show for another couple of months and includes David Rowan’s subterranean film installation, Napalm Death fanzines and an orgy of promotional films from over the years. The other big reason to visit the Biennial is also Birmingham- related (natch): John Akomfrah’s beautiful 3-screen portrait of Professor Stuart Hall at the Bluecoat. > http://7inch.org.uk/event/the-magic-city

POSITION VACANT Flatpack are currently advertising for the exciting new role of Development and Finance Director. Lots to get your teeth into, and a chance to help shape the festival over the next few years. Deadline is 1 October, and more details can be found here: > http://www.flatpackfestival.org/blog/flatpack-vacancy/

NIGHTLIFE On: Thursday 27 September, 6pm At: Yorks Bakery Café, Newhall St, Birmingham Free short film night at an ace new café in the city centre, themed around a night on the tiles and including LAS PALMAS (Johannes Nyholm), GIRLS NIGHT OUT (Joanna Quinn) and obligatory archive footage of Brummies letting their hair down. 2 for 1 deals on drinks and cakes, and massive beanbags courtesy of Bean2Bed. > http://7inch.org.uk/event/nightlife

FLATPACK FESTIVAL no.7 (21-31 March 2013) A submissions shout is coming very soon, but in the meantime pencil in these dates. The eagle-eyed may notice that it goes on longer than in previous years – this is to accommodate more one-off events and avoid some of the programming clashes people always grumble about. We hope you like our new direction… > http://www.flatpackfestival.org.uk

SO WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?

18 Sept – 18 Oct at the Library Theatre, mac, etc WEST MIDLANDS HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL Busy month of crusading and thought-provoking docs on Putin, banana oligarchs, Bhopal and Mugabe. We’re particularly keen to see 5 BROKEN CAMERAS and NOSTALGIA FOR THE LIGHT, in which Patricio Guzman brings together astronomy and Pinochet. > http://www.birmingham-film.org/human-rights-film-festival

Friday 28 September, from 5pm at Spotlight in Digbeth DIGBETH DINING CLUB Start of a weekly streetfoodfest, including churros, burgers, wood-fired pizzas and so forth. > http://www.digbethdiningclub.co.uk

28 September – 27 October in Birmingham PLAY POLAND FILM FESTIVAL Birmingham leg of a national festival. Includes screenings at mac and Ikon, and an interesting shorts programme at The Edge on 20th Oct. > http://playpoland.org.uk/birmingham-festival.html

4-13 October in Birmingham BIRMINGHAM BOOK FESTIVAL Alongside guests like Caitlin Moran, Jackie Kay and Liz Lochhead, this year includes a writing all-nighter in Willenhall and “interactive storytelling experience” Reliable Witness. > http://www.birminghambookfestival.org

Tuesday 16 October, 6.30pm at the Electric LAST SHOP STANDING Birmingham filmmaker Pip Piper has been touring the UK with this one-hour paean to the independent record shop. This hometown gig includes a Q&A with denizens of the legendary Diskery. > http://lastshopstanding.com

19-21 October at the Custard Factory SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL Capsule’s annual feast of experimental music, celebrating its first decade with a Vinyl Rally, kids gigs, DIY cinema workshop, a pagan celebration of the river Rea, and a load of bands too. The film programme also includes a new documentary by Jeremy Deller. > http://www.supersonicfestival.com

BERBERIAN SOUND STUDIO (Dir: Peter Strickland) We’ve been waiting a whole month for this to arrive in Birmingham. Skewed tribute to giallo horror, with soundtrack contributions from Broadcast. 21-27 Sept at the Electric; 1-3 Oct at mac

DEVISE TO DELIVER 2 The second edition of Sheffield Doc/Fest’s funding and distribution lab for cross-platform projects is about to kick off. Deadline for applications is 5 November. > http://sheffdocfest.com/view/d2d2

WHAT I OWE CHRIS MARKER It was easy to miss the passing of Chris Marker during the summer, but the influence of this quizzical cat- obsessed film-essayist will continue to be felt for many decades. This tribute by Patricio Guzman is well worth a read: > http://www.bfi.org.uk/news/what-i-owe-chris-marker